[AMD vs. Intel] Why the Buzz on Hammer Just Won't Quit

VIA Hardware ^ | 7-26-2002 | Joel Hruska

[Mr. K]

If you are running Win98 I urge you to switch to win2000 - it is awseome and the best OS Microsoft has ever delievered.

[Dat]

Thanks, that sounds interesting. I think there was an article on FR along those lines, focusing on the upcomming 64 bit chips each co. is developing. AMD's designs are supposed to not need as much reworking as Intel's will. Still, Intel has formidable resources and market clout.

[RightOnline]

I'm much, MUCH more interested in Opteron due to...........well, what I do for a living and the markets with whom I deal extensively. It should prove to be a superb processor for the technical desktop. After many discussions with AMD, etc., my impression is that Opteron will be a home run. No doubt that 64-bit processing will become ubiquitous in a couple of years..........

[tomkat]

thanks for the reply, JR.
looks like you answered about the time i signed off the mine rescue thread.

understand MSR v street prices, just haven't shopped around yet.
actually, the article you posted gave me the 'wants'

it's an HP box w/Socket 370, so will have to see what fits ...

[JameRetief]

Well, since you are using a Socket 370 motherboard, you are limited in what will fit it. No AMD chips will fit your board, and none of the newer Intel chips will work either. If I recall correctly, you might be able to get a Pentium 3 up to 1 Ghz to work. Even if a chip will "fit" your motherboard, it still might not work. The higher speed chips might have power or FSB requirements that your motherboard can't supply.

I don't know how much you are wiling to spend to upgrade your computer and I don't know what you have in your current system that you can use in an upgraded system, but if you are willing to spend from $200 - $300 you could easily get a much more powerful system than you are probably expecting.

For example, if you where to look on Pricewatch you could find complete systems in that price range if you aren't concerned about a few things. Keep in mind, it might not have the largest of hard drives, best video, etc., but if you already have some of the equipment in your current system, you could transfer them into your new one if what it comes with is not as good.

Another option is to buy just a motherboard and CPU combo (and maybe new memory and power supply). Swith these out in your current system and voila, much better system than you had. Going rates for a decent motherboard (An Abit, ASUS, or MSI for example) and CPU (AMD 1600+) together is about $130 - 150 w/shipping. 256 MB DDR (2100) memory can be bought for around $55 - 60 w/shipping, and a good 300 W power supply would run you around $20 - 30 w/shipping. With these options, you would also be looking at between $200 - 300 for a great upgrade but you would have more control of the quality of goods you are buying.

If you do decide to use Pricewatch to find some good deals, be sure to check out the different company ratings on Reseller Ratings.com before you buy from any of them.

Also, if you would like any advice or information you can ask me. I will be happy to help.

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

Just ran across this interesting bit of speculation:If I Had A Hammer....

[Gladwin]

http://store.yahoo.com/sidewindercomputers/mcbarheat1.html

These big heatsinks did the job for my personal computer. It ruins the price advantage over Intel though.